So I've just finished 3rd year and am making a list of when ophtho consults are needed:
candidemia
herpes keratitis
herpes zoster/shingles involving face (and torso I think?)
temporal arteritis
obvious eye trauma
Any other times it would be wise to consult an ophthalmologist?
-bb
Who is receiving this? Chief residents of hospital services? All residents? Residents and attendings.
Be diplomatic about this.
Start out with some remark about appreciating their regard for eye and vision problems and the fact that you and your department welcome inquiries
regardless the reason. It never hurts to say that you appreciate any opportunity to provide timely and useful assistance to them in the care of their patients.The list you are providing is meant to be a helpful guide to common problems and complaints where your service may be beneficial.
To that end:
Any complaints of vision loss, any age
Pain in the eye or periocular areas
Double vision
Flashes and floaters
Ocular trauma
Head trauma
suspected zoster dermatitis of the upper face
patients taking hydroxychloroquine and other drugs known to affect vision
Immunocompromised patients with any vision or eye complaint
pediatric white pupil
premature neonatal patients
strabismus in any age child
orbital or eyelid swelling in any child
Since you are a third-year, it is time you think like an attending. Imagine you are responsible for the service, you are responsible for good and productive relations with all of the other services. What would you do?
One useful question you can always ask yourself, no matter what the situation, or how unnecessary you might think a fellow service request might be is: "how can I help this patient at this time and how can I add anything useful to this situation right now?" That isn't all that easy when you are tired and feeling slightly abused, but being able to stand back at that moment and ask that question is the difference between being a professional and not.
